Former Las Vegas politician Robert Telles guilty of journalist’s murder
Telles sentenced to life for killing journalist Jeff German over misconduct reports
A jury found Robert Telles, a former Democratic politician from the Las Vegas area, guilty of murdering investigative journalist Jeff German. Telles, 47, received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 20 years.
Deliberations began on Monday, and jurors reached a verdict by Wednesday. Prosecutors argued that Telles fatally stabbed German in September 2022, shortly after German reported on Telles’ alleged misconduct, including an inappropriate relationship with a colleague.
The jury of seven women and five men deliberated for about four hours on Monday and six hours on Tuesday after a two-week trial. Attorneys presented closing arguments on Monday morning. During deliberations, jurors requested more notepaper and assistance with viewing video evidence.
Side by side of how Robert Telles was walking & how he was walking on the day of the murder of the late Jeff German on 9/2/2022. + Today is the late Jeff German’s heavenly birthday. He would have been 71. pic.twitter.com/jaoWs1FR3W
— .•.LittleLeigh.•. (@LittleLeighXoxo) August 23, 2024
Prosecutor Christopher Hamner stated that German’s ongoing investigations into Telles led to the murder. Telles had lost his Democratic primary for a second term after German’s initial reports in May 2022 about his workplace conduct as head of an office managing unclaimed estates. Telles’ law license was suspended following his arrest.
Hamner argued that Telles killed German to stop further damaging reports. Defense attorney Robert Draskovich contended that the prosecution failed to meet the legal standard and maintained that Telles was framed for exposing corruption.
Jeff German was the only journalist killed in the U.S. in 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Telles discovered that Clark County officials were set to release emails and texts between him and the woman in question the day before German’s death. German was found stabbed outside his home, and Telles was arrested days later after police circulated video of a suspect near the crime scene.
Prosecutors presented substantial evidence, including DNA under German’s fingernails and items found at Telles’ home matching the suspect’s description. However, the orange work shirt and murder weapon were never found.
Photographs from Telles’ devices showed surveillance of German’s home and searches for German’s personal information. Police also released images of a maroon SUV, similar to one seen at Telles’ home and driven by a person in an orange outfit shortly after the murder.
Prosecutor Pamela Weckerly provided a timeline showing Telles’ maroon SUV near German’s home on the morning of the murder. Telles referred to the person in the video as German’s killer while on the stand.
A text message recovered from Telles’ wife’s Apple Watch revealed her asking his whereabouts during the murder. Prosecutors suggested Telles left his phone at home to avoid tracking.
Over a dozen of German’s family members were present in the courtroom. Prosecutors are not pursuing the death penalty.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The New York Times reports that a former Las Vegas official, Robert Telles, has been convicted of murdering journalist Jeff German, highlighting concerns about press freedom and the risks faced by local reporters.(read more)
- The Hill reports that Robert Telles, a former Nevada politician, has been convicted of the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German and sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 20 years.(read more)
- The Washington Post reports that Robert Telles, a former county official, has been convicted of murdering Las Vegas investigative journalist Jeff German, sparking concerns about press freedom.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was Robert Telles?
Robert Telles was a former Las Vegas-area Democratic politician.
What was Robert Telles found guilty of?
Robert Telles was found guilty of the murder of investigative journalist Jeff German.
What was the motive behind the murder?
Prosecutors claimed Telles murdered German because his stories ruined Telles’ career and reputation.
How was Telles linked to the crime scene?
DNA believed to be from Telles was found beneath German’s fingernails, and cut-up pieces of a straw hat and shoes from Telles.
What sentence did Robert Telles receive?
Robert Telles was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.
